Screaming, Thunderchild awoke out of his vision. The sound woke Domino up and she sat up next to him.
"Thunderchild! What's the matter?"
Thunderchild turned and saw Domino and nearly fell out of the bed in fear. Domino was startled too, she saw absolute fear in her lovers eyes and from what she could tell it was because of her.
"Thunderchild?" she asked
He pushed himself out of the bed, got dressed quickly into simple clothes and limped out of the room without saying a word to her. She watched him go and then got up and got dressed herself, looking out of the window she could see that it was still night outside.
The stupid sod's gonna get himself lost she thought
Running out of the door after him she ran straight into Zidane and Steiner.
"Domino what's wrong? We heard a scream!"
"I don't know, it's Thunderchild, something's up with him" she replied
"Can we help?" asked Steiner
Domino shook her head
"No, I think this is something we're going to have to sort out ourselves"
Zidane nodded and then walked back to his room, Steiner waited a while looking at Domino strangely and then walked back to his room.
Domino pulled the hood of her red dress up around her head to block out the wind that up blown up, then she started to walk out after where she knew that Thunderchild had tried to run. Some blood lay on the ground from his wounds which had been reopened by his running, so she followed the blood.
Thunderchild tried his best to run away from Conde Petite, but it was hard going with his feet the way they were, he saw a forest not far from the village and ran straight for it. He didn't look behind him but knew that Domino would undoubtedly be pursuing him, he didn't want her to catch him. If he could just get away, maybe get to this Black Mage Village, get back to the Disc. She'd never need see him again…
Part of him cried out for his love but he knew that he couldn't risk exposing her to Jara, now that he knew what she was planning or near enough what she was planning.
He stumbled and fell over, cursing he picked himself back up again, balancing on his good foot until he could use his sword as a walking aid and then he set off again, as fast as he could for the forest.
He entered the forest a couple of minutes later and don't slow down until he was deep inside it… then exhaustion began to overcome him, it had been a long time since he had slept, although he had awoken from the vision in bed, he hadn't actually slept at all and therefore felt just as he had before he had the vision, only a damn site more traumatised.
He collapsed against the trunk of a large tree, almost like an oak he thought. As he sat there looking around something niggled at his mind, something wrong. He dismissed it and reviewed his vision.
So…Jara was planning to use Domino to kill him, It was certainly a possibility. But when? How? Where? For all Thunderchild knew she could be hunting him down to kill him now…how could he marry someone who could kill him as much as look at him but he also knew that Domino hadn't done it of her own free will, the tear dropping from her eye was evidence enough of that.
Then Thunderchild saw what was wrong.
It shouted at him from every corner of the forest, the feeling of wrong pounded at his senses as he stared mouth wide open.
Everything was deadThe trees were barren of leaves, the plants brown and shrivelled, here and there a forest creature lay slowly decomposing. Whatever hit this forest had done it quickly and deadly.
Thunderchild began to panic again, what if it came again, it would kill him too!
He tried to scramble to his feet but couldn't get a purchase on the tree trunk.
Suddenly a hand extended into his sight, open in a gesture of help. He took it, glad to receive any help in this awkward situation. Then he followed the hand back up its arm to its owner and screamed again.
It was a genome…but not Domino, this genome had long white hair and clear blue eyes, her tail was also white.
"What is the matter with you?" it asked
"Don't kill me, please, Don't kill me"
The genome raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I kill you? You're a member of the forest"
Now it was Thunderchilds turn to frown.
"You mean you're not a genome?"
The tailed creature smiled and said
"I am a genome…but not, come you are exhausted, you need rest."
Suddenly Thunderchild felt himself falling asleep, trying to fight it he struggled to remain upright but failed and fell into the genomes arms.
Domino reached the border of the forest and peered inside. She didn't like forests, not ever since she had been stranded in the middle of Evil Forest…evil things lived in forests. She especially didn't like the look of this one, the whole place reeked of death and decay. Deciding that Thunderchild didn't enter it, she turned around and walked back to Conde Petite, unsure of what to do next. Behind her the horizon began to brighten in anticipation of a new day.
Thunderchild awoke in a dark room, lit by a small globe in the corner. He sat up slowly, yawning and stretching his arms. He hadn't slept like that in ages, he felt totally refreshed and ready to fight anything. He got up out of the bed and walked over to the globe, he bent down and peered into it.
Hang on a damn minute…he thought
Looking down he saw a foot on the end of both his legs, he had been totally healed!
Jumping up and down to test them he accidentally banged his head on the low ceiling, reaching to touch the ceiling he felt his hand brush earth…earth? On a ceiling?
What the hell? he thought
He felt a presence behind him.
"Who's there?" he asked
"Only me" said the voice of the genome he had met earlier.
Thunderchild turned but couldn't see the genome clearly, just a soft outline of her…he had to presume it was a she, it looked like one.
"Did you…heal me?"
The shape nodded
"Yes."
"Thank you"
The shape walked closer to Thunderchild and placed her hand on his chest, Thunderchild flinched but felt no fear, no need to run away.
"Your spirit is strong Yissan Gojenta, but you have a lot to learn"
Thunderchild blinked
"Hey, how do you know my name? My real name!"
"I know much that is hidden Yissan, for I am Reiganna, guardian of the forest."
"The forest? What? This one?"
Reiganna shook her head
"No…all of them"
Thunderchild raised his eyebrows again
"All of them? Sheesh, that's a lot."
Reiganna waved a hand, suddenly the dim light from the energy globe burst into a bright light which stripped all of the shadows from the room. He saw Reiganna more clearer now, she wore a pure white top and white trousers and carried a spear of some sorts…no, on closer inspection it was more of a trident than a spear.
Thunderchild looked around the room they were in, it appeared to be underground, there were tree roots running through the ceiling, they appeared to pulse with life, but all of the trees he had seen before were dead.
"How? How can this tree be alive while the rest are dead?" he asked
"Deep roots are not reached by the frost," replied Reiganna "Jaras power is not strong enough yet."
"So it is Jara, I thought as much."
Reiganna nodded
"Terrible things are happening Yissan, she is harvesting the living spirit of our world. She's using the life force of millions to fuel her project."
"What's her project?"
"I am unsure but it has something to do with Terra."
Thunderchild searched through his memories of his visions.
"I think I know what it is"
Reiganna nodded again and flicked her tail.
"She must be stopped Yissan."
"I know Reiganna, but she is so strong and I have nothing."
Reiganna once again placed her hand on his chest.
"But that is where you are wrong Yissan, you have more than Jara. You have compassion, love and honesty. She is corrupt. Good will always triumph, remember this"
Thunderchild shook his head
"Honesty and love won't win a battle Reiganna."
"Wrong you are Yissan, to show compassion is to show strength."
"Speak straight Reiganna" he pleaded, having enough of her riddles.
She smiled and flicked a strand of her hair back behind her ear. She turned around and walked over to the other side of the room.
"I will teach you…show you some of your powers. You are our only hope Yissan, you need to be ready for what you are to face…there is much standing in your way."
Thunderchild nodded
"Aye, That much I know"
Reiganna turned back around again and waved her hands in front of her face, suddenly they were no longer standing in the subterranean room but now in the middle of the forest.
"Ok Yissan…Defend yourself!"
She ran at him with the trident raised, as if to skewer him in the chest.
"What the…? Reiganna? Have you gone mad?" he asked
She stopped with the trident point inches from his chest.
"No…but you are now dead"
Thunderchild frowned and pushed the point away
"Hey, I wasn't ready for that."
Reiganna turned around and walked away from him.
"You must be ready for anything Yissan…for not to be is to be dead."
Thunderchild shook his head slowly
"Alright, alright, one point to you. Now try again"
Reiganna stood still for a moment and then turned and threw her trident at him, Thunderchild saw it leave her hand and speed straight for his chest…then time seemed to slow down…he saw the trident coming, knew he had plenty of time to avoid it, as it neared his chest he stood to one side and then caught it as it flew past him.
"Whoa," he muttered "Never done that before."
Reiganna turned, smiling and raised her hand out at him, the trident in his hand pulled itself free and flew back to her. Standing there watching him she suddenly threw a fireball at him.
Thunderchild had no time to react, he flung his hands out in front of him and braced for impact…an impact that never came. Confused he looked over his hands to find a small pall of smoke arising from the air a little way in front of him.
"Eh?" he asked
Reiganna slowly clapped her hands.
"Your powers surprise you Yissan?"
"Of course they do, I didn't even know I could do half this stuff!"
She smiled a mysterious smile and walked back to him
"Much about you is hidden, hidden from even me…although I can teach you much, there is much you will have to learn for yourself."
Thunderchild shrugged
"I never thought it would be easy…but if it helps me defeat Jara then it's all I've got."
Reiganna nodded
They spent the rest of the afternoon training, Reiganna teaching Thunderchild how to use the special powers she knew about. Thunderchild learnt many new things that afternoon and at the end of it he was sure he could take on anything. However, one thing still nagged at him.
Reiganna pulled herself free of the tree roots that bound her to the spot and congratulated Thunderchild.
"Well done, that's just about all I can teach you for now…whenever you want to learn some more, you know where to find me."
She turned around and began to walk away.
"Reiganna?"
She stopped and turned back to him.
"Yes, Yissan?"
"There's one more thing I need to talk to you about"
She walked back over to him.
"What is that?"
Thunderchild sighed and ran his hand across his face
"It's Domino…I think Jara may be plotting to take control of her, to turn her against me. I don't know where, how or when but I know she plans it. I'm scared Reiganna, scared for me and scared for Domino."
Reiganna thought about it for a moment.
"Yugami is my sister, I first met her a long time ago…I am greatly concerned that Jara may attempt something. There is only one thing I can do for you, and it is no prevention of Yugami being taken over, that, sadly, I cannot prevent for it is her nature to be controlled."
Thunderchild frowned and cursed.
"Damn, well, what can you do?"
Reiganna once again placed her hand on his chest and a bright light pulsed into his body. Thunderchild felt a new entity merge with his form, felt a new ability push to the front.
"What is this Reiganna?"
"This is the ability to use Dragon Trance…it is an extremely powerful form of Trance, it will defeat nearly anything. Although you will have absolutely no control over it."
"No control?"
"No, Dragon Trance will attack your opponent remorselessly and will not stop until your opponent is defeated. It doesn't matter who your opponent is."
"Oh…well, any port in a storm I guess."
Reiganna nodded.
"Farewell Yissan, and do not be afraid of Yugami. She cannot help but be lead, it is the way we were all made. Walk the path you have chosen, walk it not alone but share it with her. The future holds many promises and many pitfalls Yissan…live for the promises but prepare for the pitfalls."
And with that she disappeared with a bright flash of light, leaving Thunderchild alone in the forest.
He walked back to Conde Petite, Reiganna was right…he couldn't just leave Domino. Despite the warnings from Jara, he loved her and he couldn't just up and leave her like that. It was getting dark now, he sighed We were supposed to be getting married today he thought Will she accept me back after the runner I did?
He carried on walking, savouring each step forward with his new feet. Squinting into the sunset he looked down upon the village of Conde Petite, he couldn't see anyone he recognised. Maybe she's in our room he thought I'll give her a little surprise
Domino and Zidane sat together in Dominos room, Domino was sobbing into Zidanes shoulder while Zidane tried to calm her down.
"He said he'd never leave me!"
"There, there Domino. There has to be a reason, I don't think he'd run off like that without a reason."
Domino pounded Zidanes shoulder
"HE HAS A REASON," she virtually screamed at him "He doesn't love me anymore!"
Zidane frowned at Domino
"Oh come on Dom, I doubt even Thunderchild would be that shallow to just leave you like that, you don't just wake up and decide you don't love someone anymore, do you?" he then realised that was a stupid question to ask Domino as she confirmed.
"Zidane! I've never loved anyone like him before. I don't know what is right and what is wrong in a relationship!"
"Well, trust me. I may not have had a major list of romances but I know that much"
Domino continued crying. Zidane had never seen her get this worked up before, she'd gotten angry before, plenty of times but upset to the point of crying? He'd never seen that before. He mentally cursed Thunderchild, how dare he make her like this! This wasn't the Domino he had met a year ago, that headstrong girl with a temperamental attitude and a severe anger control problem. Then he realised why…she'd grown up, quickly, maybe too quickly.
Suddenly from the outside there was a crash of wood and metal and a loud curse in a language neither Domino or Zidane knew. Domino looked up.
"That voice…that curse, it sounded almost like…"
She ran out of the door, Zidane followed her.
Outside, slowly getting up after having fallen over a couple of wooden barrels and crates, was Thunderchild. He brushed the dirt off his loose clothing and cursed again.
"Typical, I've only had my feet back five minutes and I'm falling over them!"
He turned around and saw Domino, smiling sheepishly he held his hands behind his back and hung his head.
"I'm sorry Domino."
Zidane was just about to open his mouth to shout at Thunderchild, to chastise him for leaving Domino but was beaten to it by her.
"Why did you leave me? After all you said…" she whispered
"I…I…I had to go, I had another vision. It was…very disturbing, I needed to clear my head."
"Look at me Thunderchild." She whispered again
Thunderchild forced himself to look up and to look into her eyes.
"I love you," she said "Do you love me too? Look at me and tell me. Look me in the eye and tell me!"
Thunderchild flinched at her fury
"Domino, of course I do!"
"Then say it! Say it like you mean it!" she yelled at him
Thunderchild sighed, he'd been expecting this.
"Domino, Yugami…I…Love…You." He said and to emphasis his point he drew her into his arms for a long kiss, she began to resist but then surrendered to him.
Once they parted she looked deep into his eyes and said
"I love you too, Thunderchild, Yissan."
Someone started clapping behind them, they both turned to see Steiner walking up to them.
"Very well put Thunderchild and Domino. May I suggest we have the wedding now?"
Thunderchild frowned.
"What now?"
"Yes, in the evening twilight. How more romantic can you get?" said Zidane "Good idea Rusty!"
Steiner frowned slightly but nodded. Thunderchild turned back to Domino.
"Well, what do you think Domino?"
Domino smiled.
"I think it sounds perfect."
Steiner clapped his hands again.
"Excellent, I shall inform the priest immediately. If you would come with me Zidane?"
"Why?" asked Zidane, still unsure of Thunderchild
"Well, I'm sure there is a lot Thunderchild and Domino need to sort out."
Zidane begrudgingly nodded and walked over to Steiner, and they both then walked off. Thunderchild could hear Steiner talking to Zidane as they left.
"And Zidane, how many times have I told you to stop calling me Rusty..?"
Thunderchild smiled and hugged Domino close.
"Finally," he said "I get to marry you."
"You'd have married me earlier if you hadn't run off like that. Why did you run off anyway? What did you see in your vision? And your feet, your legs, they're healed…how did that happen?"
Memories of her slicing her sword deep into his heart flooded back overwhelming him, he opened his mouth to tell her but couldn't find the words, the words to tell her that he feared she would try to kill him, that he knew Jara could try to control her. He couldn't…not now, not just before they were about to be married…hell, it had disturbed him enough, imagine what it would do to Domino if he told her. She would be devastated. No, best to deal with that if and when it happened.
"Nothing of major concern. The healing…was done by a friend I met on my travels. I explain more later."
"You're lying to me Thunderchild, it scared you…when you looked at me this morning, you were terrified of me…what do you see? What did I do!"
"Nothing Domino, please leave it! There's nothing I can do about it except get on with life, and I intend to…Me and you are going to get married and come hell or high water or anything in between I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you. Now shall we get ready? Surely there is stuff you want to do before the ceremony?"
She nodded, hesitating, wondering.
"Ok…are you sure you're going to be alright?"
"I'll be fine Domino, honest." He lied "Now, lets get ready."
She walked off a little way and then looked back at him. He smiled and waved her on.
What are we going to do Domino? he thought Will it be a happy ending for us?